Tetanus, commonly known as lockjaw, is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, found in soil, dust, saliva, and manure. The bacteria enter the body through cuts, wounds, burns, or puncture injuries, leading to severe muscle contractions, especially in the jaw and neck. Timely tetanus vaccination plays a crucial role in preventing this life-threatening illness.
The scheduled Tetanus as a life saver
Tetanus shots train the immune system to recognise harmful germs, helping the body fight infection if it is exposed again. This life-saving injection begins even before birth and needs to be continued at regular intervals throughout life.
The tetanus vaccination schedule includes:
- During the first trimester of pregnancy, which helps protect the newborn from whooping cough in the first months of life.
- Five initial doses in childhood, starting at 2, 4, and 6 months, followed by doses at 15–18 months and 4–6 years of age.
- Booster doses every 10 years thereafter to maintain protection.
A tetanus vaccination should also be taken within 48 hours of an injury if the wound is deep or contaminated with dirt, saliva, or animal waste, especially when a booster dose has not been taken in the past five years. This helps prevent the bacteria from causing serious infection after an injury. The long-term immunity and protection against serious risk is ensured following regular schedule.
It is recommended to seek proper advice from a medical practitioner before taking the vaccine if a person has a history of allergic reactions, seizures, or episodes of decreased consciousness.
Side effects of a Tetanus shot
Tetanus shots usually come with mild and temporary side effects, they include:
- Muscle soreness in the arm where the injection was given (most common)
- Swelling, pain, or redness at the injection site
- Fatigue
- Fussiness or irritability in babies
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Mild or low-grade fever
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Hives
- Vomiting
In children, it may also result in
- Continued, inconsolable crying lasting several hours
- Fever higher than 105°F (40°C)
- Seizures
- Swelling of an entire arm or leg
Most side effects go away on their own within a few days. Severe reactions are rare, but medical help should be sought if severe or unusual symptoms occur.
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It is important to note that tetanus disease is also not caused by rust rather, the risk comes from tetanus bacteria that may be present on objects such as nails, especially when they cause deep or contaminated wounds. Also, Tetanus is not contagious and does not spread from one person to another. Timely vaccination is proven to be the effective way in leading infection free life.
